Negrodamus wrote:I don’t think we can do much better than Yabusele without trading multiple firsts. He’s the best PF on this team and does the things Embiid and PG aren’t willing to do: effort, rebounding, play off ball. Him and McCain fix many of the rebounding issues we have with Embiid on the court. The Maxey, McCain, PG, Yabusele, Embiid lineup is the best on the team, imo and we can keep one of Maxey or McCain on the court at all times.
Agreed on the Yabu front. Not sure a DFS type guy is needed with him being here plus his ability to put a body on guys and box out is the real fix to the rebounding. That's why it's still a bit better with Joel on the court... He puts a body on guys... even if he doesn't get it. We'll see if Yabu shooting touch maintains. Still watching the fit defensively in space. The only possible trade they clearly need (is Oubre or Martins) for a star type 3 & D. But max money Paul George could theoretically fill that role too given a reduced offensive load.
Everything can't be about space IMO, particularly when you have guys willing to take shots and can be streaky... But also willing to just score, get to the rim, and look for cuts like both Oubre and Martin. I like one of them on the court as a point of attack guy. My question is more so between both Oubre and Martin, or one of them with Yabu or one of them with Jared.
The "Big 3"when they're going is going to create a hell of a lot of space and open 3s. Which would be lethal playing 5 shooters with Yabu and McCain.... Offensively they should perfection.... But likely one of the worst defenses. Oubre proved last year when Joel and Maxey were playing, he can take advantage of that both from 2 and hitting 3s....43% from 3 I think in the playoffs when Knicks were overplaying the stars. Martin has proven to be that same type of player in big games... Again coming from a team where the stars didn't play many games until the playoffs. I would imagine it will help Yabu as well.
Joel is not even in game shape after knee swelling... Not from ramping up. But truth be told the defense had been okay in the 2 games he's played and they've been in the games until he's gassed in the late 3rd and 4th.... George gets gassed too. His offense and likely defense falls off later. Knicks didn't get many foul shots, didn't convert 3s and turned it over too. Their offense has tanked then teams run on them
So really the idea that they can't fix their defense or truly any ideas about this team and it's lineups mean nothing until you know what you have with Joel where he's saying he feels good, but is clearly out of shape. The team is and has been the years built around him not Maxey, not PG.... even if this year is an improvement.
Only things I can't take away from this season so far is. Jared is legit... Yabu is legit as a 4 primarily or 5 (5 only when he's got lengthy defenders around him AKA PG, Martin, Kelly or Council or Kenyon Martin). Nick Nurse is what I thought he was... The 2021Toronto Raptors coach